Rand, Caroline Amanda (1828–1905)

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Rand, Caroline Amanda (1828–1905)

American socialist philanthropist. Born Caroline Amanda Sherfey, Feb 4, 1828, in Hagerstown, MD; died July 23, 1905, in Florence, Italy; dau. of Solomon Sherfey (merchant, sawmill operator, and farmer) and Catherine (McNeil) Sherfey; m. J.W. Roberts (died 1851); Elbridge Dexter Rand (businessman), June 13, 1852 (died 1887); children: (2nd m.) 3 sons and daughter Carrie Rand Herron (1867–1914).

Gave $35,000 to establish Department of Applied Christianity at Iowa College in Grinnell, IA (later Grinnell College) for socialist-oriented Rev. George Davis Herron (1893); was longterm supporter of school to become center for social gospel and Christian socialist movement; provided financial support to Social Apostolate, ministers' group in Chicago.